GameFi Information Bureau | NFT Game Introduction: The popular ZED RUN has evolved! Experience the future of NFT horse racing games with Base Chain's ZED Champions. Beginner's guide. #GameFi #NFTGame #ZEDChampions
Video explanation
Introduction to ZED RUN: From the legendary digital horse racing game to the new era of "ZED Champions" [Explanation for beginners]
GameFi and NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) are attracting attention in the digital asset industry. Among them, ZED RUN, which provides a digital horse owner experience, has become particularly unique. However, the world of gaming is constantly evolving. In this article, we will explain the basics of ZED RUN, its history, and its transition to a new stage, ZED Champions, in an easy-to-understand manner even for beginners.
What is ZED RUN? – Overview and Game Features
ZED RUN is a blockchain-based digital horse racing game developed by Australian Web3 game studio Virtually Human Studio and has attracted many fans for many years (SERP 2, 13). Players become digital horse owners and can own, train, and race racehorses represented as NFTs.
Main features of ZED RUN (inherited and evolved into ZED Champions):
- NFT Racehorses: Each racehorse is a unique NFT (non-fungible token) with proof of ownership on the blockchain, allowing players to experience true digital ownership.
- Pedigree and Breeding: Each horse had its own bloodline, genotype, and racing record, and it was possible to strategically combine these to breed new racehorses. Horses with excellent bloodlines and abilities could be traded at high prices.
- Skill-Based Racing: ZED RUN is not just a game of chance; it also includes elements of the horse's ability, conditions, race selection, and other factors that depend on the player's strategy and skill to determine the outcome (SERP 1).
- 24-hour races: You could race against other players from all over the world at any time, and if you placed, you had a chance to win cash prizes.
However, important information isIt has been announced that ZED RUN will end its service on February 2025, 2, and its spirit and system will be carried over to its successor, ZED Champions.(SERPs 16, 19). After many years of operation, ZED RUN has undergone a new evolution.
The dawn of a new era: "ZED Champions"
ZED Champions is a digital horse racing game that builds on the classic experience of ZED RUN (SERPs 4, 11). It continues to be developed by Virtually Human Studio. Many of the elements cultivated in ZED RUN are carried over to ZED Champions, and new features and improvements are added.
ZED Champions Highlights:
- Migrating to the Base Blockchain: ZED Champions will be deployed on the new blockchain platform “Base” (SERP 8) for more scalable and efficient transactions.
- Improved Gameplay: While maintaining the strategic breeding and exciting racing experience, it is expected that new features (e.g., the planned introduction of a staking feature) will be added (SERP 7).
- Opportunities for real money rewards: By raising and winning racehorses, players have the opportunity to earn ongoing real-money rewards (SERP 4, 11).
- $ZED Token Continues: The $ZED token used in ZED RUN will continue to be the official in-game currency of ZED Champions and can be bridged (moved) from Polygon to Base (SERP 12).
Technical elements – The technology behind ZED RUN / ZED Champions
Blockchain technology is at the heart of the appeal of ZED RUN and ZED Champions. Here, we will explain how it works in a way that is easy to understand even for beginners.
NFTs and the use of blockchain
Each race horse in the game has its ownNFT (Non-Fungible Token)An NFT is digital data that cannot be forged and is issued and traded on the blockchain. This makes each racehorse unique, and ownership is recorded on the blockchain and proven without any tampering. A major feature of this is that it is a digital asset that players can truly "own," rather than losing its value when the service ends, as with traditional game items.
Supported Blockchain
The original ZED RUN wasPolygon BlockchainPolygon was a Layer 2 solution developed to solve Ethereum’s scalability problems, enabling faster and cheaper transactions.
And the successorZED Champions is a "Base" blockchain(SERP 8). Base is an Ethereum Layer 2 network backed by the leading cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase, and aims to provide an easy-to-use, secure and low-cost environment for developers and users. With this transition, players can expect a more comfortable gaming experience.
smart contract
smart contractA smart contract is a program that automatically executes contractual content when certain conditions are met on the blockchain. In ZED RUN / ZED Champions, various transactions such as buying and selling racehorses, breeding, and distribution of race prize money are carried out transparently and fairly by this smart contract. This increases reliability because transactions between players and in-game events are carried out autonomously without the intervention of an operator.
Use of virtual currencies
In the game,$ZED TokenThe game uses its own virtual currency (cryptocurrency) called $ZED (SERP 12). $ZED tokens are used for race entry fees, breeding costs, purchasing certain in-game items, and can also be earned as race prizes. While $ZED tokens on Polygon were used in ZED RUN, $ZED tokens on the Base blockchain will be mainly used in ZED Champions, and it supports bridging from Polygon (moving tokens between different blockchains) (SERP 12).
How to start the game (ZED Champions)
Since ZED RUN has been discontinued, we will explain how to start the new "ZED Champions" in general here. Please check the official website for detailed instructions after the official release.
- Prepare your cryptocurrency wallet:
- First, you need to prepare a cryptocurrency wallet (e.g. MetaMask) that is compatible with the Base blockchain. A wallet is a digital wallet for storing and managing cryptocurrencies and NFTs.
- Cryptocurrency preparation:
- You may need ETH (Ethereum) or $ZED tokens to pay for race entry fees and buy horses. These can be purchased on a cryptocurrency exchange and transferred to your wallet. Please note that you will need ETH on the Base network to make transactions on the Base blockchain.
- Visit the ZED Champions official website:
- Go to the official ZED Champions website (zedchampions.com – SERP 4) and connect your wallet.
- Acquiring Race Horses:
- You can mint (newly issue) new racehorses (NFTs) in the game, or buy them from other players on NFT marketplaces such as OpenSea. Horses come in a variety of abilities and pedigrees, so choose one that suits your budget and strategy.
- To enter the race:
- Register your horse for a race. There are various classes and conditions for races, so it is important to choose a race that suits your horse's abilities.
- Breeding and propagation:
- By gaining experience through races and breeding with other horses, you can develop stronger racehorses.
These steps are a general guide to getting started with GameFi, and the specific specifications of ZED Champions may change, so always check the official website for the latest information.
Reputation and reviews
ZED RUN has attracted a lot of attention due to its innovation and established a new genre of digital horse racing. The community is also excited about its successor, ZED Champions.
Players' opinions (mainly about the ZED RUN era and expectations for ZED Champions)
- "The excitement of seeing your horse win a race is just like the real thing!"
- "I'm happy that because it's an NFT, I have ownership of the horse."
- "I'm excited to see what kind of horses will come out of this breeding."
- “I am looking forward to the new features on ZED Champions, especially staking.” (SERP 7)
- "I would be happy if the transition to the Base blockchain would result in cheaper gas fees."
Critical opinions and issues
On the other hand, some people pointed out the following opinions and issues regarding the operation of ZED RUN and the transition to ZED Champions:
- Transparency and migration process: Regarding the transition from ZED RUN to ZED Champions, players expressed a desire for more information and a smoother transition process (confusion evident in SERP 5).
- Game Balance: Discussions about game balance, such as horses with certain bloodlines or abilities being too strong, are common in every game. With ZED Champions, we hope for a fairer and more strategic balance.
- Barriers to entry: For beginners unfamiliar with NFTs and cryptocurrencies, the hurdle to getting started in the game may seem a little high, which could be improved by ZED Champions offering a more user-friendly interface and tutorials.
ZED RUN has been running for six years, bred over 6 digital horses, and is said to have won a lot of prize money (SERP 42). This track record is one of the reasons why expectations are high for ZED Champions.
Q&A section
- Q1: What's so great about blockchain?
- A1: Blockchain (distributed ledger technology) is a technology that records data in a chain and shares and manages the records across multiple computers. Once recorded, information is extremely difficult to tamper with and is highly transparent. In ZED Champions, the ownership of racehorses and transaction history are recorded on the blockchain, so there is no fraud and you can handle in-game assets with peace of mind.
- Q2: How do I use the in-game currency ($ZED tokens)?
- A2: $ZED tokens are used for various purposes within the ZED Champions game. For example, they can be used to pay entry fees for races, to breed new racehorses, and to purchase special items and services in the game. You can also earn $ZED tokens as prize money by performing well in races. The $ZED tokens you earn can also be exchanged for other cryptocurrencies or fiat currencies (such as Japanese Yen) on supported cryptocurrency exchanges (subject to the exchange's listing status).
- Q3: How do you trade NFT racehorses?
- A3: ZED Champions racehorses (NFTs) can be bought and sold between individuals on NFT marketplaces such as OpenSea. Connect your wallet to the marketplace, list the horses you want to sell, or search for and purchase the horses you want. Prices vary depending on the horse's pedigree, ability, racing record, rarity, etc. Transactions are conducted through smart contracts, so they are safe and transparent.
Developer Information
- Developer: Virtually Human Studio (VHS) (SERP 2, 13, 15)
- We are a Web3 game development studio based in Australia. Through the development and operation of ZED RUN, we have extensive experience and a proven track record in the blockchain gaming field.
- Technology Partners (Blockchain):
- ZED RUN: Mainly Polygon (Matic) Network
- ZED Champions: Base blockchain (SERP 8)
- Roadmap (ZED Champions):
- ZED Champions Launch: After ZED RUN ends its service (February 2025, 2), ZED Champions will be fully launched. The beta version is currently being released (SERP 28).
- Start of S1 (Season 1): Season 1 is scheduled to launch with new features and content (SERPs 7, 9).
- Staking Features: A feature that allows players to stake (deposit) $ZED tokens into specific horses and earn rewards even if they do not own the horse is scheduled to be rolled out in early July 2024 (SERP 7). (*The date is based on X's post, so please check the official website for the latest information.)
- We expect continuous updates and new features to be added. For the latest information, please check the official website or official social media (X: @zed_champions – SERP 7).
Summary / Summary
ZED RUN has left a huge mark on the GameFi world by combining the unique concept of digital horse racing with NFT technology. Its evolution, ZED Champions, aims to provide a more sophisticated gaming experience and play-to-earn opportunities on the new platform of the Base blockchain.
For those who are new to blockchain games and NFTs, you may feel a little confused at first, but the joy of becoming a digital horse owner and watching your horse perform well in races is exceptional. Why not jump into the world of ZED Champions, which inherits the traditions of ZED RUN and opens up a new future?
Disclaimer: This article is intended to provide information about ZED RUN and ZED Champions, and does not constitute investment advice or recommend any specific actions. Investment and participation in blockchain games, NFTs, and virtual currencies is at your own risk and should be done at your own risk after fully considering your own risk tolerance.
Reference Articles & Related Links
- ZED RUN official website (currently redirects to ZED Champions as a source of information): https://zed.run/ (SERP 1)
- ZED Champions Official Site: https://zedchampions.com/ (SERP 4)
- ZED Champions Official X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/zed_champions (SERP 7)
- ZED RUN Community News & Updates: https://community.zed.run/news-updates (SERP 9)
- Blockchaingamer.biz – Zed Run discontinued to make way for Zed Champions: Article Link (SERP 2)
- NFT Insider – ZED Run Relaunches as ZED Champions on Base: Article Link (SERP 8)
- CoinGecko – ZED Token: https://www.coingecko.com/en/coins/zed-run (SERP 6)